The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nenadi Usman

  • ‘Jonathan’s 2015 campaign organisation owes my company N24m’

    ‘Jonathan’s 2015 campaign organisation owes my company N24m’

    “My company is being owed N24 million for printing ex-President Goodluck Jonathan’s campaign posters during 2015 presidential election,” says Mr Olusegun Idowu, a witness in Femi Fani-Kayode’s trial.

    Idowu, was the first witness of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) in the ongoing trial of the then Director for Media and Publicity of Jonathan’s Campaign Organisation, Femi Fani-Kayode.

    Fani-Kayode is standing trial on an alleged N4.9 billion fraud.

    He is being charged alongside a former minister of State for Finance, Nenadi Usman, one Danjuma Yusuf and a company, Joint Trust Dimensions Ltd.

    They are standing trial on a 17-count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful retention of proceeds of theft and money laundering.

    They all pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

    Idowu, while giving evidence, said the N24 million was part of a total of N54 million which was for pasting of posters and consultancy jobs, his company did for the ex-president’s campaign organisation during the 2015 election.

    The witness, also the Managing Director of Paste Poster Company Ltd, said his company was paid N30 million cash in tranches of N6 million and N24 million, while another N24 million remained unpaid.

    During cross-examination, Idowu told the court that his company got the poster printing job for the ex-president campaign organisation through a referral by a member of the organisation, Aderemi Ajidahun.

    Idowu said that one Mr Oke helped his company to relate with the campaign organisation.

    He said his company received the cash payments of N24 million and N6 million from the said Mr Oke.

    When asked by Fani-Kayode’s lawyer, Mr Norrison Quakers, whether he had any direct dealings with Fani-Kayode, Idowu stated that he never had any direct dealing with Fani-Kayode.

    Justice Rilwan Aikawa, however, after listening to the arguments, adjourned the case until Nov. 20, 21 and 22 for continuation of trial.

    In the charge Fani-Kayode was accused of conspiring with the other accused to directly and indirectly retain various sums, which were proceeds of crime.

    EFCC also said that the accused allegedly committed the offences between Jan. 8 and March 25, 2015.

  • Court dismisses Fani-Kayode’s bid to transfer money laundering trial

    Court dismisses Fani-Kayode’s bid to transfer money laundering trial

    A Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday, dismissed an application by a former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-kayode, seeking transfer of a money laundering case against him.

    Fani-Kayode, who was also the Chairman of Media and Publicity Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Campaign Organisation during the 2015 general election, is standing trial alongside a former Minister of State for Finance, Nenadi Usman.

    Also joined as defenfants are – former National Chairman of the Association of Local Government in Nigeria ( ALGON ), Yusuf Danjuma, and a company, Jointrust Dimensions Limited.

    The accused were arraigned by The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC ) on a 17- count  charge of money laundering.

     Fani-Kayode and others allegedly laundered N4.6billion, according to the EFCC.

    The Commission alleged they committed the offences between January and March 2015.

    In counts one to seven, they were alleged to have unlawfully retained over N3.8 billion which they reasonably ought to have known formed part of proceeds of corruption.

    In counts eight to 14, the accused allegedly used over N970 million which they reasonably ought to have known formed part of an unlawful act of corruption.

    Meanwhile, in counts 15 to 17 Fani-Kayode and one Olubode Oke, who is said to be at large, allegedly made cash payments of about N30 million, in excess of the amount allowed by law, without going through a financial institution.

    Besides, Fani-Kayode allegedly made payments to one Paste Poster Co (PPC) of No 125 Lewis Street, Lagos, in excess of amounts allowed by law.

    EFCC alleged the offences contravened the provisions of sections 15 (3) (4), 16 (2) (b), and 16 (5) of the Money laundering (prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under same.

    The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    The accused were first arraigned on June 28, 2016 before Justice Muslim Hassan of the same court, but the judge withdrew from the suit on March 16, this year following an application by Fani-Kayode, citing likely bias by the judge.

    The case was thereafter, re-assigned to Justice Mohammed Aikawa and the accused were re-arraigned on the same charges.

    At the last adjourned date on June 21, defence counsel, Mr Norrisson Quakers, SAN, had prayed the court to transfer the case to its Abuja division, arguing that the court lacked jurisdiction to adjudicate on the matter.

    Quakers argued that the facts of the case showed that all the transactions carried out by the accused as Director of Media and Publicity of the Goodluck Jonathan Campaign Organisation, took place in Abuja.

    Besides, he had argued that the accused resides in Abuja and had another ongoing trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
    But EFCC’s lawyer, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, opposed the application and urged the court to refuse it on the grounds that the transactions as well as cheques and receipts in furtherance of same, were done in Lagos.

    Oyedepo thereafter urged the court to dismiss the application for transfer and described it as a mere waste of the court’s time.

    At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, Justice Aikawa, in his ruling, held that some of the authorities cited by defence counsel, were delivered before the enactment of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, which he noted had provided exceptions to the issues of venue of court.

    “In the case before me, the prosecution avers in its counter affidavit that “the sum of N30 million was paid to PW1 (Olusegun Idowu) of Paste Posters Company Ltd, who has his office in Lagos”.

    “This, in my view shows that all facts leading to the transaction was done in Lagos, and only evidence will prove otherwise.

    “In the light of all these, it is clear that the facts and circumstances of this case falls into the exceptions of the law regarding criminal trials.

    “There is no justification to warrant a transfer of this case to Abuja; the interest of justice requires that the trial of this case continues in this court.

    “This application hereby fails and is accordingly dismissed,” he ruled.
    The court also ruled on an application for objection raised by defence counsel on the last adjourned date, challenging the tendering of photocopies of payment receipts by PW1, who began giving testminony on June 7.

    Aikawa held that it was not the business of the court to concern itself with whether or not a document is original, so long as the document sought to be tendered, is duly certified.

    The court accordingly, dismissed the objections, admitted the receipts in evidence and marked same as exhibits 3 and 3A respectively.

    The court then called on prosecution to continue with the examination of his first witness.

    Meanwhile, defence counsel, Quakers, sought for an adjournment to enable him study the exhibits and prepare his cross examination.

    The court granted the request and adjourned the case to Sept 27 for cross examination and continuation of trial.

  • Judge withdraws from Nenadi, Fani-Kayode’s trial

    Justice Muslim Hassan of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday withdrew from adjudicating the trial of former Minister of State for Finance, Senator Nenadi Usman and former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode.

    He declined jurisdiction and transferred the case file to the Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim Auta, for re-assignment to another judge.

    The judge directed the defendants, who are on bail, to await the CJ’s directive.

    When the case is re-assigned, the defendants will be re-arraigned and the trial will begin afresh.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the defendants on a 17-count charge of laundering about N4.6billion, to which they pleaded not guilty.

    The prosecution called only one witness, but defence counsel refused to cross-examine him because they had pending applications challenging the court’s jurisdiction.

    Usman and Fani-Kayode were charge along with former National Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) and ex-Chairman of Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Mr. Yusuf Danjuma and a company, Jointrust Dimentions Nigeria Limited.

    Usman prayed the court to allow her to be tried separately from Fani-Kayode and for her trial to be transferred from Lagos to Abuja for convenience.

    The ex-minister also said she needed to travel abroad to treat breast cancer.

    Fani-Kayode asked the judge to disqualify himself from adjudicating on the case.

    He contended that Justice Hassan, who worked as Head of Legal at the EFCC before his appointment as a judge, signed the money laundering charge for which Fani-Kayode was previously tried and acquitted by Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumobia on July 1, 2015.

    Ruling on the applications on Thursday, Justice Hassan said even though Fani-Kayode did not present any evidence of bias against him, he would exercise “caution” by returning the case file to the CJ.

     

  • Ex-minister to court: I need cancer treatment abroad

    Ex-minister to court: I need cancer treatment abroad

    A former Minister of State for Finance, Senator Nenadi Usman, has asked Justice Muslim Hassan of the Federal High Court in Lagos to permit her to travel abroad to receive treatment for breast cancer.

    She said doctors at the National Hospital in Abuja recommended that she receives further treatment abroad after suffering a relapse following a surgery.

    Her application, however, could not be heard because the judge ruled that he would first consider a pending application challenging the court’s jurisdiction.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Usman alongside a former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode.

    Also arraigned are former National Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) and ex-Chairman of Kagarko local government area of Kaduna State, Mr. Yusuf Danjuma and a company said to belong to him, Jointrust Dimentions Nigeria Limited.

    EFCC arraigned them on a 17-count charge of laundering about N4.6billion. They pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Fani-Kayode, in his pending application, is asking the judge to disqualify himself because he was “worried and terrified” that he would not get a fair hearing from Justice Hassan.

    He is asking the judge to decline jurisdiction and transfer the case to the court’s Abuja division, adding that Justice Hassan, who worked as a prosecutor at the Federal Ministry of Justice and later seconded to the EFCC, signed the charge for which he was previously tried and acquitted by Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumobia for money laundering

    Usman, in her applications, is praying the court to allow her to be tried separately from Fani-Kayode and for her trial to be transferred from Lagos to Abuja for convenience.

    Usman’s lawyer, Mr. Abiodun Owonikowo (SAN), on Wednesday prayed the court to consider the former minister’s application to travel for medical reasons.

    According to him, since it was a matter of life and death, the judge could hear it before all other applications.

     

  • Court to hear Fani-Kayode’s applications for case transfer

    Court to hear Fani-Kayode’s applications for case transfer

    Justice Muslim Hassan of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Wednesday agreed to hear pending applications filed by former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode and the ex- Minister of State for Finance, Senator Nenadi Usman.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the duo on a 17-count charge of laundering about N4.6billion.

    They pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Defence counsel, including Norrisson Quakers (SAN) and Abiodun Owonikoko, had refused to cross-examine the first prosecution witness because of the pending applications.

    The defendants are challenging the court’s jurisdiction and are praying the judge to transfer the case to Abuja division.

    Ruling on whether or not to hear the pending applications, Justice Hassan said he would hear them since they were not challenging the “competence” of the charge.

    He held: “I have reproduced the relevant provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, for purposes of clarity. Section 221 of the Act provides that an objection can be taken on the basis of an incompetent charge; Section 273 provides that an accused who pleads not guilty to a charge has submitted to the court’s jurisdiction.

    “It is also the law that after the plea of an accused has been taken, an objection can be raised at any time in relation to the charge before judgment. The law also provides that trial shall be from day to day with adjournment not exceeding five times.

    “From a close reading of these statutory provisions, it is clear that the pending applications are not on the competence of the charge but outside the scope of the ACJA, as the second defendant (Fani-Kayode) is apprehensive that he will not get fair trial.

    “In view of the foregoing provisions and on the basis of fair hearing and the interest of justice, I will take the three pending applications. But I must state that cross examination of PW1 does not amount to a waiver of jurisdiction,” he held.

    Fani-Kayode, in his application, said he was “worried and terrified” that he would not get a fair hearing from Justice Hassan. He is praying the judge to decline jurisdiction and transfer the case to the court’s Abuja division.

    The former minister said Justice Hassan, who worked as a prosecutor at the Federal Ministry of Justice and later seconded to the EFFC before his appointment as a judge, signed the charge against him when he was previously tried and acquitted by Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumobia for money laundering.

  • Fani-Kayode, Usman granted bail

    The Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday granted former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode and his Finance counterpart, Senator Nenadi Usman, bail for N250 million each.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned them on a 17-count charge of laundering about N4.6billion.

    They pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    They were charged alongside the former Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) and ex-Chairman of Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State, Mr. Yusuf Danjuma and a company said to belong to him, Jointrust Dimentions Nigeria Limited.

    Danjuma was also granted bail for N250 million.

    Justice Muslim Hassan held that there was no basis for denying them bail since the alleged offence was a bailable one

    He noted that denying them bail, especially as the court’s vacation would begin next Monday until September 9, would not serve the interest of justice.

    He granted them for N250 million each with two sureties each in like sum.

    “The sureties must show evidence of having landed properties in Lagos.

    “The defendants and sureties must submit their international passport with the court’s registry, ” the judge added.

    Justice Hassan directed the EFCC to verify the bail terms within seven days before letting the defendants go home.

     

  • Alleged N4.6b fraud: Court remands Fani-Kayode, Nenadi Usman in prison

    Alleged N4.6b fraud: Court remands Fani-Kayode, Nenadi Usman in prison

    Two former ministers were yesterday remanded in prison after being arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)  for laundering N4.6billion.

    Justice Sule Hassan of the Federal High Court in Lagos ordered former Minister of Aviation Chief Femi Fani-Kayode and one-time Finance Minister Mrs Nenadi Usman, remanded in prison until Friday when their bail applications will be heard.

    They pleaded not guilty to the 17-count charge read to them.

    They were charged along with a former Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) and ex-Chairman of Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State Mr. Yusuf Danjuma, and a company said to belong to him, Jointrust Dimensions Nigeria Limited.

    EFCC’s lawyer Rotimi Oyedepo said the 17-count charge was dated June 13. He prayed that it be read to the accused.

    Usman’s lawyer, Chief Ferdinand Orbih (SAN), pleaded with the judge to let the former finance minister sit while the charge was read because she was ill. The judge agreed and she sat in the dock.

    Moments later, Fani-Kayode’s lawyer Chief Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), also asked that a chair be provided for his client.

    “He indicated to me that he is not feeling too well,” Adedipe said. A chair was brought for the former Director of Media and Publicity of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Presidential Campaign Organisation. He sat down

    After the charge was read, Oyedepo said: “In view of the plea of the accused, by Section 273 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, they are deemed to have put themselves up for trial.

    “Your lordship has the power under Section 19 (2) of the EFCC Act 2004 to order accelerated trial. I’ll be asking your Lordship to remand the defendants in prison pending the determination of this charge or as your lordship may deem proper in the course of this trial,” he said.

    But the defence counsel said they had all filed bail applications. While EFCC was served with two of the applications on Monday, Adedipe said he served the commission with Fani-Kayode’s motion since June 16.

    Adedipe said Fani-Kayode had been in detention since May 9, even after the remand order issued by a magistrate had lapsed.

    “My client has been in custody for 48 days. He was invited. He went, and they kept him. We filed his bail application and served the EFCC, but I’ve not received any counter-affidavit indicating an opposition,” he said.

    Oyedepo said he did not respond separately to Fani-Kayode’s application because he thought all the bail applications would be heard together and a single ruling delivered.

    He added that the charge was filed the day the Magistrate’s order lapsed, saying Fani-Kayode was not detained illegally.

    But Adedipe said it would unfair to adjourn hearing of his bail application because “each criminal trial is personal.”

    “Taking all the applications together has no basis in law. It will amount to a cynical manipulation of the judicial process to grant this adjournment,” he said.

    In a short ruling, Justice Hassan said for better case management, it would be better to hear all the bail applications together and deliver a single ruling on them.

    When the defence counsel prayed that the defendants be kept in EFCC’s custody until Friday rather than in prison, Oyedepo said the commission’s detention facility “is overstretched.”

    He said the practice was for every accused person to be taken to prison once they are arraigned. “We don’t want to be accused of bias,” Oyedepo said.

    Justice Hassan then ruled that they be remanded in prison custody.

    Count one of the charge reads: “That you, Nenadi Esther Usman, Femi Fani-Kayode, Danjuman Yusuf And Jointrust Dimentions Nigeria Ltd on or about the 8th day of January, 2015, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired amongst yourselves to indirectly retain the sum of N1,500, 000,000.00 which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: stealing.”

    The four were also accused of indirectly retaining N300million, N400million and N800million, all proceeds of corruption, according to EFCC.

    EFCC said they allegedly committed the offence between last January 8 and last March 25, 2015 ahead of last year’s general election.

    In another count, the prosecution alleged that Fani-Kayode directly retained N350million which he ought to have “reasonably known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: stealing.”

    The commission said Fani-Kayode directly used the sum of N170million, among other sums, which he reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of corruption and stealing.

    He was also accused of doing cash transaction of N24million with Olubode Oke, said to still be at large, without going through a financial institution.

    The offence, EFCC said, violates sections 1(a) and 16(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 16(2)(b).

    The defendants’ bail applications will be considered on Friday.

  • EFCC arraigns Fani-Kayode, Usman for money laundering

    EFCC arraigns Fani-Kayode, Usman for money laundering

    A former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, was on Tuesday arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly laundering N4.9 billion.

    Fani-Kayode, who served as the Director of Media and Publicity in the campaign organisation of former President Goodluck Jonathan, was arraigned alongside a former Minister of Finance, Nenadi Usman, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    Also charged with Fani-Kayode were Danjuma Yusuf and a company – Joint Trust Dimension Nigeria Limited.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the accused persons on a 17-count charge of unlawful retention, unlawful use and unlawful payment of money to the tune of N4.9 billion.

    NAN reports that Fani-Kaoyde and others pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    After their arraignment, the prosecutor counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, informed the court that he was prepared to proceed with the trial at any date of adjournment.

    Meanwhile, counsel to the first and second accused, Mr. Ayo Adedipe (SAN) and Mr. Fred Orbih, told the court that a bail application had been filed on behalf of the defendants.

    But counsel to the third accused, Mr. S.I. Ameh, said he had yet to file a bail application.

    Responding, Oyedepo, informed the court that he had only been served with the application of the first and second accused, adding that he required time to reply.

    Justice Sule Hassan, in a short ruling, adjourned the case to July 1 for hearing of the bail applications.

    The judge, however, ordered that the defendants be remanded in prison pending determination of their bail application.

    The accused were alleged to have committed the offences between January and March 2015.

  • Alleged fraud: 17 witnesses to testify against Fani-Kayode, Usman

    The N4.6 billion fraud charge filed against former ministers of Aviation and Finance, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode and Senator Nenadi Usman has been assigned to Justice Sule Hassan of the Federal High Court in Lagos for trial.

    Among those to testify against the duo are representatives of Zenith Bank Plc, Guaranty Trust Bank Plc, Skye Bank Plc, United Bank for Africa Plc, First Bank Plc and Wema Bank Plc.

    A source said the accused persons may be arraigned on Wednesday.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged them along with Danjuman Yusuf and a company, Jointrust Dimentions Nigeria Limited.

    Count one reads: “That you, Nenadi Esther Usman, Femi Fani-Kayode, Danjuman Yusuf And Jointrust Dimentions Nigeria Limited on or about the 8th day of January, 2015, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court conspired amongst yourselves to indirectly retain the sum of N1,500, 000,000.00 which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: stealing.”

    The alleged offence is contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) (Amendment) Act, 2012 and punishable under Section 15(3) and (4).

    The four were also accused of indirectly retaining N300million, N400million and N800million, all proceeds of corruption, according to EFCC.

    The 17-count charge borders on conspiracy, unlawful retention of proceeds of theft and corruption and money laundering.

    EFCC said they allegedly committed the offence between January 8 and March 25, 2015.

    In another count, the prosecution alleged that Fani-Kayode directly retained N350million which he ought to have “reasonably known formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act to wit: stealing.”

    The commission said Fani-Kayode directly used the sum of N170million, among other sums, which he reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of corruption and stealing.

    He was also accused of doing cash transaction of N24million with Olubode Oke, said to still be at large, without going through a financial institution.

  • Abducted students: Senate raises committee to meet Jonathan

    Abducted students: Senate raises committee to meet Jonathan

    The Senate has constituted a 22-man committee to meet President Goodluck Jonathan over the abducted 234 female students in Borno State.
    Senate President, David Mark, would lead 21 other Senators to the meeting with the President.
    The Senate had on Tuesday unanimously resolved to send a delegation to the President over the lingering Boko Haram insurgency in the country, especially the abduction of 234 Senior Secondary School students of the Federal Government Girls College, Chibok in Borno State.
    Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi, representing Ekiti North had during a debate on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday suggested that a delegation of the upper chamber meet with the President over the worrisome situation.
    Mark, on Wednesday announced the names of 21 Senators who will accompany him on the mission to the President.
    The meeting is expected to take place at the Aso Rock Villa on WWednesday night.
    The listed lawmakers include those from the troubled states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe and they are Senators Boluwaji Kunlere, Babafemi Ojudu, Zainab Kure, Alkali Jajere, James Manager, Helen Esuene, Chris Anyanwu, Ali Ndume, Ahmed Zannah, Mai’na Ma’aji Lawan, Nenadi Usman, Mohammed Magoro, and Emmanuel Bwacha.
    Others are – Ahmed Lawan, , Barnabas Gemade, Sola Adeyeye, Bindowo Jibrilla, Ehigie Uzamere, Bello Tukur, Bukar Abba Ibrahim, and Eyinnaya Abaribe.
    Mark while announcing the list said: “You will all recalled that we agreed to a suggestion by one of the distinguished Senators during our debate on the motion on the abducted girls on Tuesday that a delegation of the Senate should meet with Mr. President on the issue.
    “I have called the President (Goodluck Jonathan), on phone and he said we should come by 10pm on Wednesday night. I will suggest that those concerned should come to my residence so that we can go to the villa in a bus or two.”
    It was gathered that the parley would enable the executive and the legislature, exchange ideas on how best to rescue the abducted school girls out of the hands of their abductors and reunite them with their parents.